Overview (5)

Mini Bio (1)

Amanda Peterson was born on July 8, in Greeley, Colorado. With a natural beauty, powerful charm and a strong personality this talented and truly gifted actress began her career in film industry at age "nine-and-a-half", with the feature film Annie (1982), directed by Academy Award-winner John Huston. To participate in "Annie", she had to persuade her mother and then compete in a casting which included more than 8000 girls. She is the last born in a family of three children, she has a sister, Ann-Marie Peterson, and a brother, Rev. Jim Peterson. Her mother, Sylvia Peterson, is a full-time mother and housewife and her father, James Peterson, is a doctor. After 1981, Amanda had important roles in television series such as Father Murphy (1981), Silver Spoons (1982) and Boone (1983). In 1985, she played alongside with Oscar nominee River Phoenix and Ethan Hawke, a four-time Oscar nominee, in Joe Dante fantasy-fable Explorers (1985). At 14 years of age this young prodigy, born and raised in Greeley, had already participated in over 50 television commercials, three television series and four movies. She was also an active member of the Greeley Saddle Club, because horses has become one of her passions since childhood. She met her greatest internationally success in 1987 with the comedy movie Can't Buy Me Love (1987), directed by Steve Rash. Amanda received lavish praise from critics worldwide and she proved all her magnificent talent. In 1987, in Chile, Amanda acted with her elder sister, Ann-Marie Peterson, Jsu Garcia and Xander Berkeley in the post-apocalyptic movie The Lawless Land (1988), directed by Jon Hess and produced by Academy Award-winner Roger Corman. In 1988, for her outstanding acting in the Emmy Award-winning television series A Year in the Life (1986), Amanda Peterson won the Young Artist Award in the category of Best Young Actress Starring in a Television Drama Series. These awards are considered the Young Oscars. A year after the award, she opposite Roy Scheider, a two-time Oscar nominee, in the profound and moving drama Listen to Me (1989), a motion picture directed by Oscar nominee Douglas Day Stewart. No less impressive is her performance in the excellent thriller Fatal Charm (1990), directed by Fritz Kiersch. In 1994, after participating in the memorable contemporary drama film Windrunner (1994), she decided to leave the entertainment industry. Amanda's work involves several films genres, from western to romance, science fiction to thrillers, and from dramas to comedies. Amanda left admirers in all parts of the world, that continues to be amazed and delighted by her work. She is pure, honest, vulnerable and emotional in her acting. She holds a strong presence and gives herself to acting, she is not protecting herself, she is exposing herself. She can be another person and play a role and yet remain herself, an attribute that only the best actors have. Amanda in a Perfect World, would have delivered many more qualities interpretations, whether in film or on television. With her acting career she achieved immortality in the hearts of all who witnessed her work since her childhood. As Leonard Maltin, the most respected and recognized historian and film critic in America, once said - "Amanda Peterson is excellent". There is no doubt about that. After all, Amanda Peterson is one of the most talented and beautiful actress of her time and considered by many a legend. On July 3, 2015, Amanda Peterson died at her home in Greeley, Colorado. At the age 43.

She drove a white BMW in high school with the license plate PEAC2U (Peace to You).

Out of the massive cattle call for the title role in Annie (1982), she was one of the final 10 girls being considered. She lost out to Aileen Quinn, but still got to be one of the orphans.

Acted in about 50 TV commercials by age 14.

She attended University High School in Greeley, Colorado; Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont; University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado; and Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado.

When Amanda Peterson was 15 years old she suffered a traumatizing rape by a 27 year old man, which her family chose not to disclose until after her death.

Her death was due to accidental morphine overdose.

Amanda was cremated. Her ashes were given to her widower.

Had two children including daughter Stella Rose (b. 2007).

Personal Quotes (2)

It is funny you know, you spend 12 years of your life learning about things and about life, but they never really tell you how hard life really is.

I just love to act. I like to get away, totally play a different character, someone you can get really involved in knowing. I've gotten really involved in some characters and written down little summaries of where they live and what their families are like. You can really get into it -- especially in the movies, where you really have the time to get into your character and play her well.